Q: Do you think we will see Redzel contest The Everest again? What your plans for him here on?

A: To win The Everest for a second year was quite unbelievable as you need an element of luck to even get the horse fit and ready for raceday. Returning to defend The Everest for a third year would be an amazing achievement for the horse but I think it’s certainly more than possible. He’s proved himself to be the best sprinter in the world once more and I think Redzel may have even improved a little more this year. He’s a six-year-old gelding so there’s no reason why we wouldn’t target a return next year if the horse is fit and healthy and performing at the required level. As for his immediate future, Redzel will next look to defend his title in the Group 1 VRC Sprint at Flemington on November 10.

 

Q: If there was one thing you could change in the way Redzel was trained going into the Everest or even his Everest run itself, what would it be?

A: It was well publicized that Redzel had a small setback leading into this year’s Everest when he was sore on the morning of his intended final lead up run in The Shorts on September 15. A setback like that is never ideal when the margins for error are so small. But to the credit of the horse and the Snowden training team he was spot on for his grand final, The Everest. The run itself went perfectly. We were away well from the inside draw and Kerrin McEvoy was able to dictate the tempo out in front which gave him a great kick at the finish and there was no catching him. The wet underfoot conditions were in our favour and everything just came together for him on raceday once again. You always have to execute a plan and the Snowden’s along with McEvoy did this superbly.

 

Q: Are there any Triple Crown Stable stars you hope to put forward for The Everest 2019?

A: As the defending Everest champion Redzel is at the forefront of everyone’s minds for the race. In winning the first two editions Redzel’s name is almost synonymous with The Everest. We have a strong team of horses backing him up and it may be that one emerges from the pack to be a contender for the race in 2019. Dothraki was an emergency this year and we have some lovely horses in the stable right now who with a little more improvement could be up to that level.

 

Q: There has been some talk in the media, about how if the race was changed from a 1200m to a 1400m it would open up a whole new catalogue of contenders. Do you think that’s a fair estimate or would you call it over thinking?

A: It would put a different complexion on the race for sure. I think the prospect of it happening is very small. The race is well established over 1200m and has attracted the best sprinters from across the country and beyond in its first two editions. The race has the potential to become world’s premier sprint event at that distance.

 

Q: With the yearling sales around the corner, do you have any plans to expand your stable? And if so, what sales would you be targeting?

A: Yes, we’ll be looking to expand our stable when the yearling sales commence in early January and will have horses available to purchase shortly afterwards. We are always on the lookout for the next Redzel and have had huge success over the last few years with Redzel and indeed our wider stable. We’ll be at all the major Magic Millions and Inglis yearling sales in Australia during the sales season. Now is a fantastic time to get involved with racehorse ownership in Australia with prize money levels at record highs, along with the excellent quality of horses available.

 

Q: And finally you have a number of co-owners. What was the most extravagant thing you have seen a co-owner do with his share of the winnings? (Could be in 2017 or in 2018?)

A: The prizemoney won by Redzel’s owners has changed the lives of many of them. Some owners have undertaken refurbishments to their home, while another has helped his parents have an early retirement. Judging by some of the post-race celebrations I think a large chunk might have been spent there!

 

Published In EverestDiaries Issue 3, Vol 2

click To view the complete The Everest library - http://secretariatsworld.com/magazines/EDII_V3_DM_180729.pdf

Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com